Volunteers needed for the first FRFC Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup Day!
Volunteers needed!
Meet other co-op volunteers while getting a little exercise and improving part of our Itasca County highway system!
Sign up for this volunteer opportunity by emailing us at freerangefoodcoop@gmail.com.
(You'll receive more info and instructions once signed up.)
Owner drive results, prize winner announcement, and welcome new owners!
Welcome to 39 new owners!
Amazing! Thanks to all the new FRFC owners who joined and helped us MORE THAN DOUBLE our goal of least 15 new owners in 15 days!
A huge Thank-you also goes out to Bryndlewood Gardens for generously providing the gifts for all new owners during this drive; it was a collaborative effort and so much fun!
Welcome to all new owners:
Ron & Patti Grossman
Shari Cole & Mark Baumgartner
Richard & Mary Christensen
Sue Kessler
Jessica & Branden Stark, and Bonnie Matheson
Gabriela Johnson
Peggy & Richard Clayton
Megan Gerak
Paul & Krislyn Watson
Corrine & Jeff Vaneps
Dale & Marriah Christy
Amanda McCabe & Kyle O’Brien
Brenda & Stephen Picht
Jackie Otway
Victor White & Erin Johnson-White
Cindy & Steve Yakle
Angela Schweiberger
Jeanne & Tom Fasteland
Kelsey & Shay Samuelson
Courtney Johnson
Ritchie Johnson
Toni & Dana Yanok
Kathy & Brad Timm
Susan Rahn
Jerry & Kathy Anderson
Margaret & Andy Johnson
Jamie & Anthony Beer
Emily & Aaron Baker
Misty Eliason, and Li & Keith Murphy
plus 10 anonymous owners!
Shown below:
1) The WINNER of the big basket of plants was owner #778, Brenda Picht!
2) Wil Lenius (owner of Bryndlewood Gardens) works with Lois Bendix (FRFC board of directors) to distribute plant gifts to new owners at the Farmer’s Market.
Thank you to all who made the Children’s Fair a success!
Thank you volunteers!
WOW! The Children's Fair was the first in-person event we've attended in over a year, and we had a blast!
From start to finish, this was a true community collaboration. Thank You to the Children First! program coordinators with the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative for organizing and to all the co-op owner volunteers who made it possible for FRFC to participate.
All volunteer board directors spent many hours planning for FRFC's participation in this event, including designing the activity kits, gathering supplies needed, and coordinating volunteers.
Printing of our seed packet instructions was donated by Evans Insurance, Northern Drug Screening, and Minuteman Press.
The indoor heated garage space where we gathered for kit assembly was donated by an owner so we could be safely distanced while we worked.
9 volunteers helped on kit assembly day. We spent 3 hours packaging over 500 seed planting kits to hand out at the event!
6 volunteers helped on the day of the event for set up, take down, waving to parade attendees, and handing out planting kits.
We couldn't have done it without help from our owners and community business partners. THANK YOU for a successful start to the summer event season!
Owner Drive happening NOW through May 15th!
Owner Drive May 1-15!
Get free plants by joining online today (it’s easy!)
Children’s Fair on April 24th!
See you there!
See you there!
The 22nd annual Children's Fair hosted by the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative is happening this month!
DATE: Saturday, April 24th
TIME: 10:00-1:00pm
WHERE: Grand Rapids High School parking lot between NW 14th Street & Conifer Drive
Community organizations and businesses come together to provide a FREE fun filled drive-thru. As you cruise along you will be greeted by hometown heroes as they spread out along the route providing entertainment and free resources!
An all-new experience, take the cruise:
- Many Prizes to be Won! Radio Flyer tricycle, Radio Flyer glider, Radio Flyer cyclone, and Radio Flyer scoot-about
- Take Home Activity Kits*
- Big Vehicles & Characters to See
- Grab-and-Go Picnic Lunch*
*While supplies last.
While in the drive-thru all attendees must stay in your vehicle. You should not attend this event if you or anyone in your household is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath), or have been exposed to others who have experienced those symptoms within the last 14 days.
For more information call Community Education at 218-327-5730.
Gardening classes from the Minnesota State Horticultural Society
Take a class this spring!
Take a class this spring!
"We love growing gardeners of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, join us for an upcoming webinar or workshop! Busy during the scheduled class time? No problem—sign up and we'll send you a recording afterward. Find a class and dig in...”
Book Club
The next book is ready for reading!
The next book is ready for reading!
"Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease" by Robert Lustig.
Book club is open to everyone in the community!
The next meeting date is Thursday, June 10th at 6:00pm. Send us an email for more details: freerangefoodcoop@gmail.com
Learning Link
Kernza: A Local Grain with a Big Future
Kernza:
A Local Grain with a Big Future
An interesting story about a new perennial grain from our friends at Lakewinds co-op here in Minnesota:
https://www.lakewinds.coop/blog/kernzaperennialgrain/
From the Board
Volunteer with FRFC this summer!
Volunteer with FRFC this year!
SPRING! After 1 full year of COVID, I am sure we are all looking forward to getting out and about a little more than has been possible. We are looking for owners willing to volunteer at public events to tell other residents and visitors to Itasca County about FRFC! You will receive training and we will keep the commitments to 3 hours or less.
Why volunteer?
Take tangible steps to grow your co-op and strengthen your community!
You get to talk to people about why you want a co-op in Grand Rapids!
Meet other people who share your values!
Since site selection is happening as we speak, we need to reach our next goal of 900 owners. The additional revenue from ownership fees will help us purchase the expert services we need. If you can volunteer, please complete the survey below or contact Lois at 218-355-0581 or lois.frfc@gmail.com and let her know you are interested in serving.
WE NEED YOU!
Meeting Minutes
Stay up to date and read the meeting minutes here!
Springtime has us gearing up to get safely back into the community, and we need your help to do it!
Click the link to read the minutes from our April board work session:
New Brochures!!
Keep your eyes open around town for our new brochures!
We are thrilled to have newly updated Free Range Food
Co-op brochures!
A huge Thank You goes out to Chelsey Jo Johnson with Chelsey Jo Creative for designing these stunning brochures with custom artwork inside! You can find Chelsey and all the awesome work she does on Facebook @chelseyjocreative. We’d also like to thank Treasure Bay Printing for their work getting these printed and folded quickly so we can start putting them out around town!
Do you know of any businesses or public spaces where we could put some brochures?
Tell us where you want to see FRFC this summer!
Children’s Fair volunteers needed!
Calling all FRFC owners! Special event volunteers are needed for the Children First! Children's Fair
Calling all FRFC owners! Special event volunteers are needed for the Children First! Children's Fair:
The 22nd annual Children's Fair hosted by the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative will be held on April 24th from 10:00-1:00pm. It will be an outdoor 'reverse parade' where families will drive through the parade route with organizations waving as they go by. Each participating organization will contribute an activity to a goodie bag for the families to enjoy together after the parade.
We are in need of:
2 individuals or families to prep activity packets for the goodie bags. Prep will take place on a Saturday April 17th and take 3 hours or less. Stations with materials & instructions will be spaced out for social distancing.
2 individual volunteers to represent FRFC on the day of the event by waving to parade attendees. Each volunteer will work with one board member, in a marked 12'x12' space to allow for 6' social distancing. Face masks will be required.
To volunteer for this event, send us an email at: freerangefoodcoop@gmail.com or take a minute to complete the survey on our Volunteer page.
Other ongoing volunteer needs:
Marketing Team: Creative owners to help design marketing materials, and locate/plan educational opportunities for our owners. (Short-term commitments)
Inclusion Team: Owners interested in promoting social equity by developing an inclusion policy. (Mid-term commitment)
Capital Campaign Planning Team: Planning-oriented owners to help organize our Capital Investment Campaign. (Mid-term commitment)
Volunteer Coordinator: Owners with knowledge or interest in volunteer recruitment and management to help expand our owner volunteer base. (Mid-term commitment)
Board of Directors: A driven, dedicated owner to round out our 9-person board of directors! (Long-term commitment)
Solid Rock - Microgreens for sale!
Every Saturday from 10am-2pm
Fresh lettuce and microgreens for sale by Solid Rock Growers, LLC!
When: Every Saturday from 10am-2pm.
Where: Eagle's Club on S. Pokegama Ave in Grand Rapids
Car-side ordering/delivery available.
For each purchase by co-op owners, a portion of the proceeds is donated to FRFC! Just let them know you are a Free Range Food Co-op owner and bring your owner card if you have it.
NEW - Custom orders!
A $20 minimum custom order will buy up to 4 selections!
Call or email Chad Martin 2 weeks ahead with your order for Saturday pickup:
651-230-4947 srgrowers@gmail.com
Follow Solid Rock Growers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Solid-Rock-Growers-LLC-111315887310348
Learning Link
It's maple syrup season!
It's maple syrup season!
Northern Minnesota is home to several species of maple trees which are commonly tapped for maple syrup! Visit the Minnesota DNR website for a how-to video, instruction guide, and more fun info on the history of making delicious maple syrup! https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maple_syruping.html
From the Board
Why is the site selection process so secretive?
"Where will the co-op be built?" is the most frequent question board members get asked, and for good reason: we all want to know!
We wish it were as easy as seeing a vacant lot or store for sale and saying "Let's build the co-op there!", but there is a lot more to it.
Why is the site selection process so secretive?
"Where will the co-op be built?" is the most frequent question board members get asked, and for good reason: we all want to know!
We wish it were as easy as seeing a vacant lot or store for sale and saying "Let's build the co-op there!", but there is a lot more to it. For each individual site being considered, the Site Selection Team has to reference and compare:
The market study, which forecasts sales revenue in regards to its specific location in town.
The pro forma, which compares the costs needed to build or renovate with the estimated sales revenue info from the market study.
The ability of the site to fit the co-op's mission and vision, as well as fulfilling the needs and wants of the owners.
Ultimately, the co-op has to be a financially sustainable business so the profits can be put back into the community to fulfill our vision. While having the store a block in one direction or another may not seem like a big difference at first glance, it can be a make-or-break decision for the co-op's long-term financial viability. This is why each potential site has to have its own market study and pro forma completed to pinpoint differences in financial projections and help guide the decision on where to build.
At a certain point during the process, the Site Selection Team (and the board) will be privileged with the most valuable information the co-op has: its future location. What we want more than anything is to be able to shout from the rooftops "This is where Free Range Food Co-op is going to be built!!!" but we can't do that prematurely because:
Building owners have been known to suddenly up the price on that vacant building, once they knew the co-op was interested. (A developer or commercial real estate agent will help negotiate on our behalf to prevent this.)
Sites fall through, and getting our owners’ hearts set on a site is a recipe for frustration, giving the perception that a “set back” has happened. In reality, co-ops often see several sites fall through for one reason or another before landing on the site that works.
A competitor, once aware of a site suitable for a natural foods store, may decide to put one in faster than we can. It’s happened to other co-ops before.
For whatever reason, we may later learn more information and reconsider which site is our primary choice. We're free to do that until we sign a lease… unless we’ve already set the expectation with members. Then it gets tricky.
For these reasons, there have to be some secrets about the site until every box is checked to make sure it's the right choice. Once the lease or purchase agreement with contingencies has been signed, everyone gets to find out! As soon as we can, we will share the site location with everyone and hopefully by that point we'll be able to safely throw a big in-person party to celebrate with all FRFC owners!
For now, we ask you to be patient with the organizing team as we inch closer to narrowing down the ideal site. It's a slow process but the end result is so worth it! The co-op's continued growth depends on your continued support, so THANK YOU for supporting your co-op by volunteering on teams and at events, engaging with us on social media, and encouraging others to join as owners!
